Madrid seduces quietly—sunlight on stone plazas, violins echoing through museums, and evenings that linger well past midnight. Founded in the 9th century and crowned Spain’s capital in 1561, the city blends royal grandeur with a playful, modern spirit. You’ll encounter Goya and Velázquez, golden-age tabernas, and contemporary cocktail bars—often on the same street.

The historic core—Austrias, Sol, and the Literary Quarter—packs in headline sights like the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, and the “Golden Triangle of Art” (Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen). Green spaces such as Retiro Park and Casa de Campo invite slow, romantic hours by the water or with skyline views at sunset. Food is a ritual here: vermouth at noon, a late lunch menú del día, then tapas and conversation until the city glows.

Practical notes: Madrid’s Metro is fast and affordable; consider a Tourist Travel Pass for unlimited rides during your stay. Lunch menus are excellent value, and many museums offer free evening hours—great for a budget around 50/100. Dress smart-casual for flamenco or a concert, and bring layers from October–April when evenings cool quickly.

Madrid

Madrid is Europe’s highest capital, and you feel it in the clarity of its light. The bear and strawberry tree statue in Puerta del Sol nods to the city’s medieval heraldry. The Royal Palace counts more than 3,000 rooms—grand enough for a waltz, intimate enough for a whisper.

• Top sights: Royal Palace & Almudena Cathedral, Prado, Reina Sofía (home to Picasso’s Guernica), Thyssen, Retiro Park’s Crystal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía, Temple of Debod at sunset.
• Eat & drink: Mercado de San Miguel’s small bites; Botín (world’s oldest restaurant); traditional taverns like Bodega de la Ardosa; modern favorites like Fismuler and Arzábal; award-winning cocktails at Salmon Guru.
• Nightlife & music: Gran Vía theaters, WiZink Center for major concerts, operas at Teatro Real, jazz at Café Central and Sala Clamores.
• Local gems: Row a boat on Retiro’s lake, ride the Teleférico over Casa de Campo, and browse El Rastro flea market on Sundays.

Where to stay (romantic & central):

• Search apartments and homes on VRBO or hotels on Hotels.com.
• Classic romance: Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques (near Opera; hidden garden, rooftop views).
• Artful icon: The Westin Palace, Madrid (stained-glass dome, steps from the Prado).
• Stylish mid-range: Novotel Madrid Center (Retiro/Salamanca access, good value).
• City-center comfort: Melia Madrid Princesa (close to Plaza de España; elegant, reliable).
• Charming budget: Hostal Persal (Plaza del Ángel, perfect for strolls in the Literary Quarter).
• Social & wallet-friendly: Room007 Ventura Hostel (young vibe, private rooms available).

Getting to Madrid: For European arrivals, compare fares and routes on Omio flights (most hubs to Madrid in ~2–3 hours; from $40–$150 one way). If arriving by rail, high-speed AVE from Barcelona (~2.5–3 hours) or Seville (~2.5 hours)—check schedules and prices on Omio trains (from ~$35–$90). From Madrid-Barajas (MAD), Metro Line 8 to the center takes ~30–40 minutes; taxis are a flat-rate ~€30 to central zones.

Day 1: Old Madrid Stroll, Market Bites, and a Flamenco Night

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Ease into Madrid with a loop from Puerta del Sol to Plaza Mayor—arcades, buskers, and postcard-perfect photos. Share a late snack at Mercado de San Miguel: try gildas (olive–anchovy–pepper skewers), jamón ibérico, and a glass of Rioja. For dessert, churros con chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés—sweet fuel for your first sunset.

Evening: Settle into a romantic dinner near the Royal Palace. Options: Café de Oriente (classic Spanish with palace views), El Anciano Rey de los Vinos (mushrooms and bull tail stew), or Casa Lucio (famous huevos rotos). Then experience a live flamenco performance—intimate, powerful, unforgettable: Essential Flamenco: Pure Flamenco Show in the Heart of Madrid (60–70 minutes; typically €35–€45 per person).

Night: Toast the city from above at Azotea del Círculo de Bellas Artes (360° skyline). Prefer cocktails? Salmon Guru (World’s 50 Best Bars alumnus) crafts inventive sips—book ahead or go early. Stroll back via Gran Vía’s theater lights.

Day 2: Art Masterpieces, Retiro Park Romance, and a Tapas & Wine Walk

Morning: Breakfast at La Mallorquina (Napolitanas, espresso) or Toma Café (specialty coffee). Dive into Spain’s greatest collection with a guide: Prado Museum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket (90 minutes; highlights include Velázquez’s Las Meninas and Goya’s Black Paintings; ~€45–€60 per person).

Afternoon: Walk to Retiro Park via the Puerta de Alcalá. Rent a rowboat on the lake, then peek into the glass-walled Palacio de Cristal. Lunch options: Arzábal Retiro (croquetas, artichokes, and seasonal rice dishes), El Perro y la Galleta (stylish, good for couples), or a picnic from Mercado de Antón Martín’s stalls.

Evening: Taste Madrid like a local on a small-group crawl: Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Walking Tour – Small Group Local Bars (about 3 hours; ~€85–€110; 10+ tapas with regional wines across classic bars).

Night: Drift through Malasaña for nightcaps at 1862 Dry Bar (vintage spirits) or La Vía Láctea (retro music). If you prefer a quieter finish, share tarta de queso at La Primera on Gran Vía and people-watch from the windows.

Day 3: Royal Splendor, Neighborhood Wanders, and Live Music

Morning: Coffee at HanSo Café (matcha and pastries) before stepping into royal history with skip-the-line access: Madrid: Royal Palace Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket (~2 hours; €40–€55). Don’t miss the Throne Room and the Royal Armoury.

Afternoon: Visit Almudena Cathedral and the Sabatini Gardens, then wander into La Latina and the Literary Quarter (quotes by Cervantes and Lope de Vega are etched into the streets). Lunch picks: Casa Revuelta (cod fritters), Taberna El Sur (budget-friendly raciones), or Tandem by Triciclo (light, seasonal plates). If modern art calls, Reina Sofía’s collection (Guernica) is nearby; time ~90 minutes for highlights.

Evening: Choose your soundtrack. For opera or ballet, check Teatro Real’s schedule; for big-name concerts, WiZink Center; for jazz, Café Central (intimate tables and candlelight) or Sala Clamores (eclectic, great acoustics). Dinner ideas: Fismuler (Nordic-Spanish sensibility; perfect to share) or El Jardín de Arzábal at the Reina Sofía (garden seating in fair weather). Night stroll to the Temple of Debod for a dusky city panorama.

Day 4: Market Morning, Views, and Departure

Morning: If it’s Sunday, browse El Rastro flea market (Lavapiés/La Latina); otherwise, catch the Thyssen-Bornemisza highlights (impressionists to pop art—manageable in 60–90 minutes). Quick bites: La Campana’s calamari sandwich by Plaza Mayor or a light brunch at Misión Café. For a unique view, ride the Teleférico over Casa de Campo—quiet, scenic, and romantic.

Afternoon: Grab last-minute treats—turrón, olive oil, or a bottle of vermouth—then head to the airport or station. For trains or flights, compare options on Omio trains and Omio flights. Aim to be en route 2–2.5 hours before departure (Madrid traffic can surprise).

Evening (if you depart later): One final memory: share a bench by the Retiro lake as the rowboats drift past—Madrid’s way of saying hasta luego.

Budget-savvy tips for your vibe: Use a Tourist Travel Pass for unlimited Metro (Zone A usually covers most sights). Book museum visits in the early evening during free hours when possible. Make lunch your main meal with a menú del día (2–3 courses, often €14–€20), then graze on tapas at night. For date nights, reserve rooftops at golden hour and flamenco seats close to the tablao for the most immersive experience.

Optional swaps (if you want more or different): Football fans can tour the new-look Bernabéu, food lovers might take a paella class, and first-timers sometimes add a full-day Toledo visit—each great, but your four days already capture Madrid’s essence without rushing.

One more curated activity (alternative to your Day 2 or 3 plan): If you prefer a single guided day, consider this comprehensive combo covering the Royal Palace and Prado in one go: Madrid in a Day Tour: Royal Palace, Historic Center & Prado Museum.

Four days in Madrid gives you the sweep of royal Spain, the intimacy of neighborhood taverns, and nights soundtracked by guitars and laughter. When you return—and you will—you’ll know exactly where to go for that perfect sunset and a plate of croquetas to share.